All industrial & heritage museums to visit in Maryland

Explore the impact of industry on society at 30 industrial heritage museums in Maryland. These museums showcase the history of manufacturing, technology, and labor.

Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in Maryland:

  1. Cumberland Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park1

    Cumberland Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

     Cumberland, MD
    The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a significant historical site located in the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland. Established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D Eisenhower, the park serves to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures. This park provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore a significant part of American history.
  2. Baltimore Museum of Industry2

    Baltimore Museum of Industry

     Baltimore, MD
    The Baltimore Museum of Industry is situated in a former cannery in Baltimore, Maryland. This unique location provides a fitting backdrop for the museum's exhibits, which focus on various types of manufacturing and industry from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore the museum's hands-on sections, which feature working equipment and other artifacts.
  3. Ss John W. Brown3

    Ss John W. Brown

     Baltimore, MD
    Today, the SS John W. Brown serves as a museum, located at Pier 1 on Clinton Street in the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its rich history, from its construction to its service during World War II and beyond.
  4. Phoenix Shot Tower4

    Phoenix Shot Tower

     Baltimore, MD
    The Phoenix Shot Tower, also known as the Old Baltimore Shot Tower, is a significant landmark in East Baltimore, Maryland. This red brick shot tower stands at a height of 234.25 feet and is conveniently located near the downtown, Jonestown, and Little Italy communities. When it was completed in 1828, it was the tallest structure in the United States, a testament to its historical significance and architectural prowess.
  5. Historic Ships in Baltimore5

    Historic Ships in Baltimore

     Baltimore, MD
    The Historic Ships in Baltimore is a maritime museum situated in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. This museum is a result of the merger of the USS Constellation Museum and the Baltimore Maritime Museum, making it a significant location for maritime history enthusiasts.
  6. Hagerstown Aviation Museum6

    Hagerstown Aviation Museum

     Hagerstown, MD
    The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is situated at the Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland. This location is easily accessible and provides a unique setting for the museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation.
  7. Choptank River Lighthouse7

    Choptank River Lighthouse

     Cambridge, MD
    The first lighthouse at the Choptank River location was constructed in 1871 by Francis A. Gibbons. This lighthouse was built to replace a lightship that was previously stationed at the same location. The transition from a lightship to a lighthouse marked a significant development in the maritime history of the region.
  8. Gaithersburg Station8

    Gaithersburg Station

     Gaithersburg, MD
    The Gaithersburg station is not just a transportation hub, but also a historical site. The former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station building and freight shed, built in 1884, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings now house the Gaithersburg Community Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the city's past and its railway history.
  9. National Capital Trolley Museum9

    National Capital Trolley Museum

     Cloverly, MD
    The National Capital Trolley Museum (NCTM) is a nonprofit organization that operates historic street cars, trolleys, and trams for the public on a regular schedule. The museum is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, and its primary mission is to preserve and interpret the history of the electric street and interurban railways of the National Capital region. The museum was incorporated on January 4, 1961, and has since been dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of the electric street and interurban railways.
  10. Computer Museum @ System Source10

    Computer Museum @ System Source

     Hunt Valley, MD
    The System Source Computer Museum is situated in the scenic Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of computing in a dedicated museum setting.
  11. B&O Railroad Museum11

    B&O Railroad Museum

     Baltimore, MD
    The B&O Railroad Museum is situated at the Mount Clare Station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This location is notable for its roundhouse, a distinctive architectural feature built between 1851 and 1884 by Ephraim Francis Baldwin in the Georgian style. This historical building adds to the charm and authenticity of the museum experience.
  12. Baltimore Streetcar Museum12

    Baltimore Streetcar Museum

     Baltimore, MD
    The Baltimore Streetcar Museum (BSM) is a nonprofit organization situated at 1911 Falls Road in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum is committed to preserving the history of Baltimore's public transportation, with a particular focus on the era of the streetcar. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of Baltimore's public transportation and gain a deeper understanding of the city's past.
  13. Canal Place13

    Canal Place

     Cumberland, MD
    Canal Place, a 58.1-acre heritage area, is situated in Cumberland, Maryland at the western end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This location is rich in history and offers a unique insight into the past. It's a great place for tourists who are interested in history and nature.
  14. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum14

    Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

     St. Michaels, MD
    The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, located in St. Michaels, Maryland, is home to a vast collection of artifacts, exhibits, and ships from the Chesapeake Bay. This interactive museum, founded in 1965 at Navy Point, was once a site of seafood packing factories, docks, and working boats. Today, it houses the world's largest collection of Chesapeake Bay boats and offers interactive exhibits in and around the 35 buildings that dot the campus.
  15. Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum15

    Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum

     Ellicott City, MD
    The Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, located in Ellicott City, Maryland, holds the distinction of being the oldest remaining passenger railway station in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. This historical significance makes it a unique destination for those interested in the history of rail travel and transportation.
  16. Bowie Railroad Museum16

    Bowie Railroad Museum

     Bowie, MD
    The Bowie Railroad Museum is located in the town center of Bowie, Maryland, and is made up of three small frame structures that were part of the former Bowie train station. These buildings are situated at the junction of what is now known as the Northeast Corridor and the Pope's Creek Subdivision. The museum offers a unique glimpse into the history of rail transportation in the region.
  17. Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum17

    Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum

     Union Bridge, MD
    The Union Bridge station, located in Union Bridge, Carroll County, Maryland, is a historic railway station that was built in 1902. It served as a stop for the Western Maryland Railway, playing a significant role in the transportation history of the region.
  18. Cove Point Lighthouse - Calvert Marine Museum18

    Cove Point Lighthouse - Calvert Marine Museum

     Lusby, MD
    The Cove Point Light, a lighthouse situated on the west side of Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland, is a significant historical site. It was constructed in 1828 by John Donahoo, a renowned lighthouse builder of his time. This lighthouse stands as a testament to the rich maritime history of the region and offers a unique insight into the past.
  19. Glenn L Martin Maryland Aviation Museum19

    Glenn L Martin Maryland Aviation Museum

     Middle River, MD
    The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is situated at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland. This location is not only convenient for visitors but also holds historical significance as it was once a hub for aviation manufacturing and innovation.
  20. National Electronics Museum20

    National Electronics Museum

     Linthicum, MD
    The National Electronics Museum in Linthicum, Maryland, is a unique institution that showcases the history of defense electronics in the United States. The museum's exhibits include a wide range of items, from telegraphs and radios to radars and satellites. It provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of electronic technology and its role in national defense.
  21. Baltimore Public Works Museum21

    Baltimore Public Works Museum

     Baltimore, MD
    The museum offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at how a large city like Baltimore provides public works utility services to its citizens. This included exhibits on street lighting, road maintenance, and trash removal, providing a comprehensive understanding of the city's infrastructure.
  22. Perryville Railroad Museum22

    Perryville Railroad Museum

     Perryville, MD
    The Perryville station has a rich history, having been originally built by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in 1905. Later, it was adopted by the Pennsylvania Railroad. This historical significance adds to the charm and appeal of the station for visitors.
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    Sandy Spring Museum

     Sandy Spring, MD
    The Sandy Spring Museum was established with the primary aim of preserving the history of the surrounding area of Sandy Spring, Maryland. It was founded as a local history museum and has since evolved to support community-driven cultural arts and educational programs. The museum's mission is to gather the community and foster a sense of place and belonging.
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    Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum

     Hagerstown, MD
    The Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum is situated at 300 South Burhans Boulevard in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA. This location is easily accessible and provides a convenient spot for tourists interested in railroad history and model railroads.
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    Furnace Town Historic Site

     Snow Hill, MD
    The Old Furnace Town Heritage Museum, located near Snow Hill, Maryland, is an outdoor museum that brings history to life. It uses a living history format, complete with live demonstrations, to recreate a 19th-century community that has since vanished. Visitors can experience the past in a unique and engaging way, making it a memorable destination for history enthusiasts and families alike.
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    Eden Mill Nature Center

     Pylesville, MD
    Eden Mill Nature Center is a nature center located in Pylesville, Maryland, United States. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about the natural environment in a serene setting.
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    National Capital Radio & Television Museum

     Bowie, MD
    The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, is a unique institution dedicated to the education of the public on the evolution and history of electronic media. The museum showcases a vast collection of radio and television technology from different eras, providing a comprehensive overview of the development of these mediums. Visitors can explore the rich history of electronic media and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on society.
  28. 28

    Fire Museum of Maryland

     Towson, MD
    The Fire Museum of Maryland, established in 1971, is situated in Lutherville, Maryland, in close proximity to Baltimore. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the Baltimore area.
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    J Millard Tawes Museum - Crisfield Heritage Foundation

     Crisfield, MD
    The J. Tawes Historical Museum is situated in a picturesque location on the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Maryland, United States. This location not only offers a rich historical experience but also provides a scenic view of the marina, making it a perfect spot for tourists who appreciate both history and nature.
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    Massey Air Museum

     Millington, MD
    The Massey Air Museum is an aviation museum located near Massey, Maryland, in the United States. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the aviation heritage of Maryland and Delaware. The museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of aviation in the region.